Lynda Susan Shay

Lynda 'Sissy' Susan (Stonecipher) Shay passed away in her home on Sunday, October 15, 2023. She was born on December 28, 1952 to Earl Stonecipher Sr and Josephine (Edmo) Stonecipher. She was the second born of seven siblings. Lynda was an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Being a lifelong resident of the Fort Hall Reservation, she attended school in the local area of Fort Hall and Blackfoot. In the Early 1970's she married Darrell Shay, they later divorced. Together they had two daughters, Lisa and Leslie. In 2004 she entered into a relationship with her companion Ray Sanchez.

In her early adulthood she worked various jobs which included the INL, Bannock Memorial Hospital and she worked for Indian Health Services where she retired after 30 plus years. After her retirement she then worked for the Tribal Health Program until she fully retired in 2014.

Lynda enjoyed various activities during her lifetime, she played basketball in her teen years, played softball and later was active on the Fort Hall Rodeo Association Committee. She enjoyed bowling on All-Indian and Ladies leagues. She was involved in the Fort Hall Episcopalian Mission Church and was taught the customs and traditions of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. She often helped during funerals and ceremonies.

She enjoyed cooking, making and selling traditional beadwork and attending powwows. In her leisure time you could find her watching mystery and cold case shows, doing crossword puzzles, playing solitaire and slot games on her laptop and was a familiar face at the casino. Her biggest baby was Cubby the Pug, who was always by her side, under foot or within arm's length.

Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Earl 'Stoney' Stonecipher Jr., sister Anna-Maire (Stonecipher) Gaines.

Lynda is survived by her companion Ray Sanchez, sisters Lucrecita 'Lolly" Austin, Margret McNabb and Emmy Gaines, brother Mark Gaines, cousin Sharon Wheeler, her daughters Lisa Ortiz and Leslie (Chet) St. Clair, her stepchildren: Bryson Calico, Vanessa Sanchez, Brodie Sanchez, Raelyn Sanchez and Joseph Sanchez. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nette (Elias) Handerson, Daylin Penrod, Aerlia Ortiz, Ana Ortiz, Aiden St. Clair, and Lilly St. Clair, Ivan Calico, Alice Calico, Deacon Calico, Bryson Calico, Dominique Sanchez, Nikko Sanchez, Andrea Sanchez, River Sanchez, Braylon Big Hair, Charlotte Big Hair, and Thorton Big Hair. One great-granddaughter, Teigen Handerson. There are also several friends, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family whom she loved and cared about as well.

Lynda was loved by those she met and always had a 'hi' or 'hello', maybe even hug, but definitely a smile and a good laugh for everyone she came into contact with. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Lynda will be taken to Buffalo Lodge on Lodge Road in Fort Hall on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 12:00 pm, where she will remain until time of traditional funeral services on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm. There will also be a prayer service at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. A sunrise ceremony on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at approximately 7:30 am (or time of sunrise). Per Lynda's wishes she will be cremated, with remains to be buried at a later date with her father.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com
208-232-0542

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